The world of whiskey is full of bottles that promise more than they deliver. Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin... vs Michter’s 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon: Is Premium Worth the Price? belongs to the rarer category that simply lets the liquid speak.
Is the premium price tag really worth it? We compare Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin... ($25.00) against Michter’s 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon ($1000.00) to find out whether spending more actually means drinking better.
This is a matchup every whiskey enthusiast faces at the store shelf. We'll break down nose, palate, finish, and value so you can make an informed choice.
Specifications at a Glance
| Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin... | Michter’s 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Bourbon | Bourbon |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 30 proof | 116.2 proof |
| Price | $25.00 | $1000.00 |
| Rating | N/A/10 | 10/10 |
Nose
Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin...: Pungent is the word that comes to mind. This is not like most beers youve had before, which is clear from the first pour. Seven years in wood comes through strongly, and I smell leather, coffee, and charred oak.
Michter’s 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon: Graham crackers; vanilla beans; a hint of fresh ginger. It’s warm, but given its alcohol content not particularly boozy.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin...: Theres a coffee-like quality in the mouth, too. But thats not all. Candy sweetness comes through and lingers, as well. A friend trying it with me thought it brought fruitcake to mind not the fruitcake we joke about, but good, lush fruitcake. I cant say I disagree. There are certainly elements of walnuts and pecans, dates, and candied cherries in this barleywine. Final Thoughts: This is a serious beer, full of big flavors that whiskey drinkers are likely to enjoy. I certainly did. I immediately decided to search out more barleywines to see if they hold up to this one because I would happily bring this out to drink with friends on pretty much any occasion.
Michter’s 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon: The legs we saw when swirling it in the glass were not misleading – this is a bourbon that’s both sumptuous and silky. It’s almost like taking a bite of something rather than drinking it. Layer by layer, different flavors materialize. The wood essence comes first, which isn’t surprising for a 25-year-old bourbon: Lightly buttered toast, pecan pie bars and vanilla cake with a brown-sugar glaze.
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin...: Comments: Sierra Nevada barleywine aged six years before finishing for a seventh in E.H
Michter’s 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon: Later, almond brittle makes an appearance, along with an undercurrent of spiced apples and cinnamon. It’s a rich combination of flavors, but it comes across as balanced rather than cloying. The finish is remarkably long. It starts spicy, holds on for an extended period of time and ends, finally, with a dollop of honey. Each time as it faded, I found myself tipping the Glencairn and hoping to find any last, additional drops.
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
Pricing varies by market, so check your local retailer for current rates on both bottles.
The significant price gap between these two makes value an especially important factor in this comparison.
The Verdict
This is a genuinely close call. Both Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin... and Michter’s 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon have their strengths, and picking a clear winner depends entirely on what you value most in a whiskey.
We'd recommend trying both if you can. Each has qualities that make it worth a pour.
